Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said Monday that chronic pain in his left groin has bothered him throughout the season, preventing him from being the complete player who won Gold Glove awards in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Tulowitzki, who was charged with only six errors last season, made six errors in the first 11 games this season. Four of those errors came on bad throws.

While not making excuses, Tulo said he was trying to protect himself.

"At times, maybe, you are more careful because you are thinking about it," he said. "I was so used to throwing on the run, and now I was setting my feet, and it was a little different.